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Illinois player ejected after throwing flag at ref's face (Video)

Illinois defensive lineman Tito Odenigbo (94) sits on the bench during an NCAA college football game against Rutgers Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. Rutgers defeated Illinois 35-24. (AP Photo/Bradley Leeb)
Illinois defensive lineman Tito Odenigbo (94) sits on the bench during an NCAA college football game against Rutgers Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. Rutgers defeated Illinois 35-24. (AP Photo/Bradley Leeb)

It’s been a really rough year for Illinois and junior Tito Odenigbo let his frustrations get the best of him in the second half of the Illini’s game against Northwestern.

After one of his teammates was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for shoving a Northwestern player after the whistle, Odenigbo picked up one of the flags, which appeared to hit him in the shoulder pad, and flung it at an official, hitting him on the head.

Unsurprisingly, Odenigbo was ejected for his actions, putting a premature end to his junior season.

Luckily, the flag appeared to hit the official on the underside of the brim of his hat, instead of hitting him right in the face.

(via FS1)
(via FS1)

Illinois lost the game 42-7 to finish the season, the program’s second under Lovie Smith, with a 2-10 record.

The Illini did not win a single Big Ten game this season and are now 5-19 (2-16 Big Ten) under Smith.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!